Rangers bring holiday cheer to Medical City Children's Hospital
Kennedi Landry
@kennlandryDALLAS, Texas -- Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young is DFW born and raised. He relishes the chance to lead his hometown team day in and day out. Even more, he loves the opportunity to give back to the community that raised him.
On Wednesday, decked out in Rangers-themed Santa Claus hats, Young -- along with second baseman Marcus Semien, right-hander Jon Gray, right-hander Josh Sborz, outfielder Leody Taveras and television broadcasters Dave Raymond and Mike Bascik -- visited patients at the Medical City Children's Hospital in Dallas.
The annual event has been an important part of the Rangers¡¯ efforts in the community for years.
¡°Certainly we feel a responsibility to give back and support those who support us, and to even spend a half a day to come out and put smiles on kids' faces,¡± Young said. ¡°It is certainly at a time of year where most children get to have normal lives. For these children to be in the hospital this time of year, it's the least we can do as an organization. I¡¯m very proud of our players who all made a big effort to be here and wanted to give back. We're here to support them just like they support us during hard times.¡±
Semien specifically has been one of the most charitable Rangers since joining the club, and he and his family have become actively involved with both the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and the Texas Rangers Youth Academy in West Dallas.
Semien has attended the hospital visit event every winter since signing with the Rangers ahead of the 2022 season.
¡°We're here at Medical City in Dallas, just trying to brighten some kids' days and their parents too,¡± Semien said. ¡°I'm glad we have a good amount of players here to come say hi. The holiday season is upon us, and it's not always the brightest season for everybody. So we're here to bring some joy.¡±
The biggest of all of his efforts is when Semien and his wife, Tarah, spearheaded The Semien Family Food Distribution in 2023-24, partnering with the non-profit Food for the Soul and providing over 1,500 boxes of fresh produce and during 10-week summer program to Youth Academy athletes participating in baseball and softball programming.
Semien has been honored for his work in the community multiple times throughout his Rangers tenure, including being named the winner of the club's 2024 Jim Sundberg Community Achievement Award. He will receive his award at the Texas Rangers Awards Dinner on Jan. 17, 2025, at Loews Arlington Hotel.
The star second baseman was also this year's Rangers nominee for MLB's annual Roberto Clemente Award. He was the league winner of the 2023 Heart and Hustle Award presented by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, an award for which he has been a club nominee in many other years.
¡°It's definitely an honor to be acknowledged,¡± Semien said. ¡°I try to connect with as many community members as I can here in the DFW area. Obviously, when I go back home [to the Bay Area], it's the same thing. I see myself as not just a baseball player. I want to be a good person and somebody who can connect with others and brighten their day and just help people along the way.¡±